Matthew Tkachuk gets married in lavish wedding to cap off Panthers' Stanley Cup victory lap
The star Panthers forward married fiancée Ellie Connell over the weekend, according to videos shared on social media, roughly one month after winning the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season.
The couple swapped vows at a church where Tkachuk, looking dapper in a dark tux, dipped his bride for a kiss as they walked down the aisle.
Connell, who reportedly got engaged to the two-time NHL All-Star in 2024, stunned in a strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline.
Once the party got underway at the reception, it was the groom's father, Hockey Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk, who stole the spotlight as he was hoisted onto a chair as Chappell Roan's 'Pink Pony Club' blared in the background.
The song was famously part of the Oilers' latest Stanley Cup run, which was thwarted in back-to-back years by the Panthers.
Florida defeated Edmonton in six games this year after going to seven in 2024.
'We've got to be a dynasty now,' Tkachuk said in June. 'Three years in a row finals, two championships. This is a special group.'
The Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final since 2023, losing in five that year to the Golden Knights.
Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers before the start of the 2022-23 season after spending the first six years of his NHL career with the Flames.
Though Tkachuk was a factor in this year's Cup run — he scored eight goals across 23 playoff appearances — his postseason availability seemed murky after he sustained a lower-body injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off competition.
He had not played since February.
'I've had some ups and downs throughout the playoffs, (but) now I'm feeling the best I've felt,' Tkachuck said. 'Personally, I'm very happy with where the health is and everything.'
And now, he'll have a championship ring to pair with his wedding band.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys sign TE Jake Ferguson to $52M deal as Micah Parsons continues without extension
The Dallas Cowboys got a deal done at training camp, but not the one fans are looking for. The Cowboys announced Sunday morning that they have signed tight end Tony Ferguson to a four-year, $52 million extension. All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, meanwhile, remains without a deal as he seeks an extension entering the final year of his rookie contract. The deal for Ferguson makes him the highest-paid tight end in Cowboys history and the seventh-highest paid tight end in the NFL, according to the Cowboys. He signed the extension with one year remaining on his four-year rookie contract that scheduled to pay him $3.4 million in 2025. A fourth-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, Ferguson was a part-time starter as a rookie and has been Dallas' No. 1 tight end in the two seasons since. He emerged as one of quarterback Dak Prescott's favorite targets in 2023 with 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns. Ferguson's production dropped last season as he tallied 59 catches for 494 yards without a touchdown. That still led Cowboys tight ends and was the good for the third-highest production among all Cowboys pass catchers behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert. The Cowboys bolstered their receiving corps with the addition of former Pittsburgh Steeler George Pickens in the offseason. Ferguson projects to remain as a top target for Prescott. Jerry Jones jeered by fans over lack of Parsons progress Parsons, meanwhile remains without a contract extension as the Cowboys prepare to practice in pads for the first time on Sunday. The absence of his extension remains the top story at Cowboys camp and one of the biggest training camp stories in the NFL. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was greeted with boos and calls from fans to "pay Micah" as he addressed fans during a public training camp session on Saturday. Jones' address to fans took place days after his Monday news conference in which he swiped at the availability of both Parsons and quarterback Dak Prescott while addressing Parsons' contract status at the start of training camp. Just because we sign him doesn't mean we're going to have him," Jones said of Parsons. "He was hurt six games last year. Seriously. I remember signing a player for the highest-paid at the position in the league and he got knocked out two-thirds of the year — Dak Prescott. "So there's a lot of things you can think about, just as the player does, when you're thinking about committing and guaranteeing money.' Parsons was not "hurt six games last year." He missed four of 17 games with injury. In his previous three seasons, Parsons played in 50 of 51 regular-season Cowboys games. He's a three-time All-Pro and has made the Pro Bowl after each of his four seasons. Parsons is seeking a deal that will make him among the highest-paid defenders in football after fellow All-Pro pass rushers Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt signed contracts in the offseason paying them $40-plus million per season. Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension ahead of Steelers training camp that set the new bar. Parsons reported to training camp without his extension, but has been a limited participant since practices started on Tuesday. He watched Wednesday's session from the sideline with back tightness, but declined to call himself a hold-in. Training camp escalates in intensity starting Sunday as the Cowboys practice in pads for the first time.
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Beyoncé reunites Destiny's Child at final Cowboy Carter show
Destiny's Child have reunited for the first time in seven years for the grand finale of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour in Las Vegas. The trio surprised fans with a medley of some of their best-loved songs, including Lose My Breath and Bootylicious. Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams also joined Beyoncé for a rendition of her 2022 hit, Energy. The chart-topping group went their separate ways in 2006, but have previously reunited during Beyoncé's half-time performance at the Super Bowl in 2013 and at her Coachella headline slot in 2018. After the show on Saturday, Beyoncé shared a photo of the trio, dressed in gold jumpsuits, on her Instagram without a caption. Fans were treated to several guest performances throughout the Vegas show, with Beyoncé bringing out her husband Jay-Z and country singer Shaboozey for brief cameos. Blue Ivy, Beyoncé's daughter, also made an appearance. The 13-year-old has been a fixture of her mother's shows throughout the tour. The performance in Las Vegas was the 32nd and final of her Cowboy Carter tour, which also saw her perform in her hometown of Houston, Texas in June. The three-hour rodeo extravaganza has been praised for its high energy and artistry. It takes its name from Beyoncé's 2024 album Cowboy Carter, which was met with critical acclaim, including taking the top album prize at this year's Grammy Awards. The show has broken ticket records at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and Stade De France in Paris. More in Culture How much is too much to pay for Beyoncé? Drake cancels Manchester gig due to 'travel issues' Does this look like a real woman? AI Vogue model raises concerns about beauty standards
Yahoo
4 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rashawn Slater agrees to four-year, $114-million deal with the Chargers
Rashawn Slater, a former first-round draft pick and one of the leaders on the Chargers offensive line, is staying in L.A. for the long haul. Slater has agreed to a four-year, $114-million contract extension, according to a person with knowledge of the situation not authorized to speak publicly, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Slater, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a second-team All-Pro in 2021, will be paid out $92 million guaranteed, ESPN and NFL Media reported. Read more: Is Tuli Tuipulotu the next Joey Bosa for the Chargers? Edge rusher 'does it all' Working as Justin Herbert's blindside protector, Slater started every game last season and played a valuable role in helping the Chargers set a franchise record for the fewest offensive turnovers (eight) in a season. He finished last season with the second-best overall grade and the third-best pass-blocking grade at offensive tackle, per Pro Football Focus. Slater's tireless efforts certainly won over Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, who has Slater in his exclusive "Elite Nine" club on the team that includes stars Khalil Mack, Derwin James Jr. and Herbert, among others. 'Speaking on behalf of everyone in the organization, fully support Rashawn and what he's trying to accomplish for himself and his family,' said Harbaugh last month about Slater's push for a contract extension. 'We're all in support.' Times staff writers Sam Farmer and Thuc Nhi Nguyen contributed to this report. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
